Apparatus for automatically metalizing the terminal ends of monolithic

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically metalizing the terminal ends of monolithic capacitor chips, which includes an endless conveying tape having formed therein a plurality of first apertures, a plurality of thin, resilient masks, each adapted for receipt in one of the apertures, in co-planar, fixed registration therewith, each mask having at least one second aperture formed therethrough of a size and shape to compliantly receive a chip therein, in an orientation whereby the contact surfaces extend outward from both sides of the tape, a way to for load the masks with a plurality of chips including a cylindrical wall having formed therethrough at least one orifice for registration with the second aperture in the mask, the cylindrical wall adapted for rotation through an inventory of the chips for introduction of the chips into the orifice in transverse specific alignment with their contact surfaces extending outward from the cylindrical wall orifices, a way to accurately move the chip-loaded orifices into registration with the second apertures in the masks, a way to transfer the chips from the orifices into the second apertures along a rectilinear path therebetween, a way to pass the contact surfaces of the chips through an inventory of end-termination paste, and, a way to dry the paste and expel the chips from the mask to prepare the masks to receive a new inventory of chips as the endless conveying tape proceeds to repeat its circuit.